LINN  —State Tech President Dr. Shawn Strong told Regents at their June meeting that enrollment has grown 75% in seven years and 50% in the last five.

He noted that no other college in Missouri comes remotely close to that growth, which he expects to continue in the fall.

VP of Student Affairs Dr. Chris Bowser is projecting more than 2,100 students in Fall 2023, with 39 more enrolled than last year at the time of the board meeting. Notably, most State Tech programs were 80% registered in March.

Dr. Strong also noted the school’s graduation rate increased from 74% to 77%, which he said is the best in Missouri. “That’s something the entire campus can be proud of,” he added.

In other business, Regents voted to retain airport engineering consultant WSP, Inc. of St. Louis. Dr. Strong was given the green light to issue a notice to proceed from March 2023 through March 2028.

Projects include pavement preservation, lighting, electrical or navigational aid improvements, terminal/community hangar development, obstruction removal, and fence improvements.

• Regents also approved Higgins Asphalt’s low bid of $224,295.50 to patch and re-stripe parking lots, with change orders not to exceed the total contract amount of $250,000.

• A bid from Environmental Engineering, Inc. was approved to replace 11 failed HVAC units, including eight in the Dr. Donald M. Claycomb Information Technology Center (ITC) and three in the Activity Center.

• Regents approved a third-floor remodeling project at the ITC, overseen by low bidder PCE for $369,000.

• Chief of Staff Amy Ames noted State Tech is working to create a new entrance on the east side of the Linn campus and has hired a contractor to complete a traffic study. The college will use the data to pursue grant funding or the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) cost-share program.

• Dr. Strong told Regents that State Tech’s land has increased from 356 to 853 acres in the last five years.

In addition to over 100 acres at the State Tech Golf Center, the college has over 300 acres acquired as part of  Agriculture Innovation grants. The school has purchased five properties over the past two months. Two are adjacent to the main campus, and another is about a mile away.

These purchases were made ahead of a new Agricultural Operations Associate Degree program set to launch next fall. According to a new program report issued by the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, the Agricultural Operations program will focus on modern business and economic principles involved in the organization, operation, and management of agricultural enterprises.

Dr. Strong said the program will allow the college to meet Missouri’s agricultural workforce needs.

• State Tech has 50,000 square feet under construction in its facilities and 30,000 square feet being renovated at the ITC. Nilges Technology Center is scheduled to be renovated, and an additional 100,000 SF is under design in two buildings.

• The MoExcels Grant will fund the development of a Safety Village, which will house underground utilities and working HVAC systems for training students.

“There’s nothing like it in the country,” said Dr. Strong of the Safety Village’s six 1,000-square-foot residential neighborhood with all underground utilities.

• In closed session, Regents voted to extend Dr. Strong’s contract one year, through June 30, 2026.

• The board voted to reelect President John A. Klebba and VP Steve Sellenriek.

Remaining business will be presented next week.